Finally Revit Released In True 64 Bit Format

This is huge, Revit Architecture users have long awaited a release of Revit that operates in the true Native format for 64 bit platforms. As many people know, 32 Bit Windows XP is limited to only 2 gigabytes of memory unless the 3gb switch is enabled. With 64 bit technology however, the machine is limited only to what the machine can physically hold which allows significantly faster computing. Prior to this release, Revit Architecture was able to installed on a 64 bit machine but never took full advantage of that platform. This release is only available to customer on Autodesk Subscription. This is a big incentive for keeping your Subscription current. Here is the exciting information about this update from Autodesk's Subscription Site.



This version of Revit® Architecture 2009 is a native 64-bit application to be used with 64-bit Operating Systems, such as Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional 64-bit or Microsoft® Windows Vista® 64-bit (Business, Home Premium, Ultimate editions). The 64-bit version of Revit Architecture 2009 removes the 4 gig memory limitation found in 32-bit applications which enhances the software’s capability to handle large projects. It contains the functionality found in the 32-bit release of Revit Architecture 2009, with the noted limitations found in the Known Issues document.

Update 2 for AutoCAD and LT 2009 has been released!

There are several updates (service packs) available on the Autodesk website. This update does fix a few crash issues. Update 2 does include update 1, therefore there is no need to download and install update 1.

Update 2 for AutoCAD is available, click Here.

Note:

There is a separate download for 32-bit and 64-bit versions, please download the applicable version for your operating system. To see which one you have right click on My Computer and select properties (Start->Control Panel and double click System) and if it doesn't say 64-bit on the General tab, then you have a 32 bit system.

If you have a vertical program like Civil 3D 2009 you can check on an Update availability by going to www.autodesk.com/support and select your program from the "Select a Product" dropdown list, then select Data and Downloads->updates and Service Packs on the left sidebar menu.

Autodesk Inventor 2009 Update 1 and Possible Issues

An update (service pack) for Autodesk Inventor 2009 was recently released. Be sure to read all the FAQ or readme files before you execute any update or pack. We highly recommend you have a backup of all your files as a precaution before you begin.

Autodesk Inventor 2009 Service Pack 1

Applies to:
Inventor Professional 2009
Inventor Routed Systems 2009
Inventor Simulation Suite 2009
Inventor Suite 2009

Go here for a complete list of different versions of Inventor and updates.

Some who have installed this update are experiencing issues with tapped holes. Read the discussion and know that Autodesk has been contacted on this matter.

Also, a few users running Windows Vista as their operating system are getting C++ Windows runtime errors after they have installed this service pack. Autodesk wants Vista users to turn off the UAC of the Vista OS (control pane->User account-> turn on/off UAC) when using Inventor 2009.

If you don't want to turn off UAC permanently, after turning it off, launch Inventor and close it. Then you can turn on UAC again and you should not see the runtime error anymore.

It IS the size of the Text that counts!

When placing the MText window the MText Editor takes up the entire AutoCAD screen area. With the newer versions of AutoCAD, the MText editor zooms the text up so you can see it. This can be good unless the MText window is covering a large area (say 10') and the Text Size is small (say 3/16").

Example:
You have this drawing...

...and place your MText Window from Pt A to Pt B.

You expected to see the Normal MText Editor window....

but instead you see something like this...

The editor takes up the entire drawing screen...

This happens because your Text Height is too small for the zoom factor. The MText editor automatically tries to adjust the size of the window to make the text readable.

To resolve this issue do the following:

1. Start the Single Line Text command DTEXT.


2. Click in any location


3. Use the default values for everything except when prompted for the text height enter a number that is appropriate, in the example above 8".





4. Enter some text and end the command


5. Now place some MTEXT, it should be back to normal.

This has been verified to happen in AutoCAD and LT versions 2007 through 2009 and the workaround above works in the AutoCAD 2008 and 2009 versions but should also work in the other affected programs.

Autodesk has also published an article on this issue and you can view it here.

Fatal Error Hotfix for AutoCAD 2009

Hot Off the Presses!

A new hotfix has been released which addresses random fatal errors that occur in the AutoCAD 2009-family of products.

Navigate to the following link to access the download:

http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL11783277

Please read the readme file, which addresses how the hotfixes are supposed to be applied.

http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/open_save_close_hotfix.html

IMPORTANT NOTE: Jeff Lotan (one of our own Avatech NSC staffers) discovered you may have to turn off the digital signature validation (on by default) before exchanging one of the dll files (otherwise you cannot replace it per the instructions in the readme file) by doing the following:

1. From the Windows desktop, press and hold the Windows key on your keyboard then then press the "R" key to bring up the Run dialog.
2. Next to the Open label, type "ACSIGNOPT" and then hit the Enter key
3. Uncheck (clear) the checkbox next to "Validate Digital Signatures and Display Special Icons"
4. Log Out of Windows
   
5. Log In to Windows
6. Then replace the dlls as directed.

For help or if you have additional questions, contact the Avatech NSC!

What are the differences between AutoCAD 2009 and LT 2009?

There hasn't been a comprehensive list of the differences between the full-blown version of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, until now!

Here's a small snippet of what you'll find in the list:

• Does LT have tables? Yes
• Does LT have support for a 64-bit system? Yes
• Does LT have express tools? No
  

Click here to see the AutoCAD-LT feature matrix.

Another good document is a comparison between versions of AutoCAD LT 2006 through LT 2009 which answers questions like:

• Can LT 2009 use Images as Underlay/Reference? Yes!
• Can LT 2006 use Images as Underlay/Reference? No
  

Click here to see the LT matrix.